In recent earnings conference calls with analysts, CEOs including Douglas Baker of St. Paul-based Ecolab and John Wiehoff of Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson Worldwide spoke of a changed environment in which they are operating their companies.

3M Co., the manufacturer of products including Scotch tape and dental braces, reduced its full-year forecast as a recession in Europe and slowing Asia growth crimped sales. The shares fell the most in almost a year.

With his employment contract set to expire this month, CEO George Buckley will retire on June 1, 3M Co. announced Wednesday. The company named chief operating officer Inge Thulin to replace him, effective Feb. 24. Thulin will also join 3M’s board.